Updated October 2026. Many shops and attractions here are seasonal or open only Thursday through Sunday, so check hours before you drive.
LOCAL TRAVEL GUIDE SITES
In addition to Trip Advisor and Yelp, these sites offer guides to the area.
Catskills Visitor Center
Trail conditions, parking, and hiking info for the whole Catskill Park.
STROLLING MAIN STREETS
The small towns in the area offer charming Main Streets to wander, eat, and shop.
Delhi
The largest town in Delaware County with a very pretty main street. Antique shops, local fashion, public parks, and cafes. Pair it with coffee at Hollow and a browse at The Stonehouse.
Andes
Very Brooklyn-esque. A little spread out. But good vintage and design shops, a gallery, a cider bar, and other fun things.
Margaretville
Antique shops, coffee, a record store, tattoos, and a great artist-run gallery.
Franklin
A little further, but home to some of the area’s best design and antique shops.
Oneonta
A little further away but a great town. It has two universities, which bring an energy to the place. The area around Main Street has a good bookstore, coffee shop, guitar store, lots of great places for lunch, antique malls, decent Thai and sushi, D&D and hobby stores, and a tattoo parlor.
Phoenicia
Phoenicia is the Catskills you see featured on Instagram.
SHOPS & GIFTS
Catskill Outpost (Stamford)
Hipster camping store, next door to Stamford Coffee. Friday–Monday.
Roxbury General Store
Local store run by a retired couple.
Tandem Antiques & Design (Stamford)
Antiques, lighting, art, and pottery, chosen with a designer’s eye. Close by.
The Antique Knot (Stamford)
Antique rugs and kilims.
Estro (Andes)
Mid-century French, Italian, and Scandinavian furniture and lighting in a restored 1920s garage. Weekends and by appointment.
Briar (Andes)
Home goods and gifts from an interior designer, in an 1873 apothecary. May–December.
Clementine Vintage Clothing (Andes)
Well-chosen, well-priced vintage, arranged by color.
The Stonehouse (Delhi)
Vintage Moroccan rugs, Japanese knives, and local skincare.
Stone & Sawyer (Delhi)
Stoneware lamps made in the studio. Limited hours.
This & That (Delhi)
Curated vintage. The garden turns into a flea market on Saturdays.
Kria (Margaretville)
Handmade jewelry, art, and home goods in an old theater.
Barbara Alyn Artwear (Margaretville)
Designer clothing and a well-stocked mercantile.
Pressing Matters Records (Margaretville)
More than 10,000 records, plus guitars. “Open odd hours, appointments & chance.”
Kabinett & Kammer (Franklin)
A contemporary curiosity shop: antiques, natural-history finds, and art. Worth the drive.
BOOKS
Hobart Book Village
https://secretnyc.co/hobart-book-village-ny/
Small village completely devoted to used books. Start with Liberty Rock Books and Blenheim Hill Books. Most shops are open 11–5 from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. Grab a weekend coffee at the Book Village Inn while you’re there.
ART & MUSIC
Roxbury Arts Group (Roxbury)
Our local arts center. Exhibitions, performances, and classes year-round.
Longyear Gallery (Margaretville)
Artist-run cooperative gallery. Friday–Sunday, 11am–4pm.
Hawk + Hive (Andes)
Gallery for emerging and mid-career artists, with a small shop of books and objects.
West Kortright Centre (East Meredith)
Concerts in a converted country church. Summer season.
PHARMACIES
CVS Pharmacy (Margaretville)
The closest chain pharmacy. The Walgreens in Stamford closed in 2025.
OTHER SUPPLIES
Dollar General (Grand Gorge)
Discount store for paper towels, cleaning supplies, etc.
Young’s Ace Hardware (Prattsville)
Also has pet food, as well as fishing and hunting supplies.
Big Box Store Chains (Oneonta)
Oneonta has all the usual box stores. Walmart, Lowe’s and Home Depot, Dick’s Sporting Goods, TSC, etc. There’s also a TSC in Stamford.
CAR SERVICES
These do not operate like on-demand taxis. You’ll need to make reservations in advance. Uber and Lyft are unreliable to nonexistent up here. We haven’t used any of these, ourselves.
Phoenicia Transport
Recommended by a friend who runs a hotel in Fleischmanns. Roxbury is outside their usual area, so ask for a quote. (845) 679-6656.
A&D Transport Services (Oneonta)
Recommended by one of our property managers. Mostly medical transport, but they also run taxi service. (607) 433-1726.
Therese – (845) 201-9757
She advertises rides in local Facebook groups.
Joe – (631) 672-3445
The Roxbury Motel says he also offers rides.
Both Ways – (607) 326-4622
Like Joe and Therese. A Roxbury resident named Glenn who offers rides.
Trailways Bus
Buses from Port Authority stop in Margaretville and Grand Gorge. About 4–5 hours.
SWIMMING
Schoharie Creek Swimming Hole
https://seeswim.com/location/pratt-rock-area/
Cool off after the Pratt Rock trail. Our favourite, though watch the current when the water is high, and stay away from the low dam. Video of the walk from the parking lot.
Margaretville Swimming Hole
Local swimming hole with a rope swing. Easy to access. Park by the picnic pavillion behind the grocery store. Then head down the path marked by the big boulder. Video of walk from the parking lot.
Mine Kill State Park (Swimming Pool)
https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/mine-kill-state-park
Free Olympic-size pool and kiddie pool. Late June to late August, 10am–6pm.
Belleayre Beach (Pine Hill)
Lifeguarded lake beach with a playground, plus kayak, paddleboard, and pedal-boat rentals. Late June to Labor Day; closed Tuesdays.
Catskill Recreation Center (Arkville)
A community center with a full pool, lessons, etc. Also has a gym. Day passes are $18 for adults and $10 for kids. Reserve pool time ahead: (845) 586-6250.
See/Swim
This site has a complete map of swimming holes in New York State.
WORKING OUT
Catskill Recreation Center (Arkville)
Features a full gym. Or you can call us and we’ll give you a long list of back-breaking chores to do around our property. 😉
Streamside Yoga (Andes)
Donation-based classes in a studio with a deck over the stream.
CYCLING
Pepacton Reservoir (Road)
Very beautiful route circling the Pepacton Reservoir.
Catskills Scenic Trail (Easy Off-road)
An easy, 26 mile grass trail starting right near us at foot of Hardscrabble Road. Perfect for kids on mountain bikes. Also walkable.
GOLF
Shephard Hills Golf Club (Roxbury)
https://shephardhills.com/
Old, historic course at the top of our local mountain. Its restaurant, Ate O Ate, is a good spot for dinner, too.
Hanah Mountain Resort & Country Club (Margaretville)
https://www.hanahcountryresort.com/
Good reviews for the golf course. Skip the food and accommodations.
Putt Putt Van Winkle (Bovina)
A hidden gem. Designed and managed with love. Open daily until it gets cold, usually early November.
FISHING & BOATING
Pepacton Reservoir
https://dec.ny.gov/places/pepacton-reservoir
The source of NYC’s drinking water, the Pepacton is well-known for its world-class fishing. You’ll need a free NYC DEP Access Permit. Kayaking and canoeing are allowed May–October, but boats must be steam-cleaned and tagged.
Pepacton Bait & Tackle (Arkville)
The closest tackle shop. Also steam-cleans boats for the reservoir.
Al’s Sport Store (Downsville)
Rents canoes and kayaks for the East Branch and the reservoir. Call ahead: (607) 363-7740.
SKIING
Hunter Mountain Resort (Hunter)
The fanciest option. Now on the Epic Pass.
Belleayre Mountain Ski Center (Pine Hill)
Best for families. A big new lodge expansion opened for 2025–26.
Plattekill Mountain (Roxbury)
Very close to us. Excellent lessons. Family-owned. Where the locals go. Open Friday–Sunday and holidays, with snow tubing over the holidays.
Kelly Hollow (Arkville)
An easy 3.7-mile loop that makes a great cross-country ski or snowshoe in winter.
WALKING & HIKING
John Burroughs Memorial Field (Our Road!)
https://cnyhiking.com/NYSP-JohnBurroughsMemorial.htm
The perfect after dinner stroll up our road. Takes you past his old cottage, Woodchuck Lodge, which offers tours the first weekend of each month, May–October, 11am–3pm. Ends at a bench with a great view. One mile each way.
Plattekill Mountain (Roxbury)
A free 4-mile loop on the mountain, May–October. Sign a waiver at the office first.
Mount Utsayantha (Stamford)
Walk or drive a gravel road to a fire tower with 360-degree views. The easiest big view around. The road may close for repairs.
Bramley Mountain Fire Tower (Delhi)
A 4-mile loop past an old bluestone quarry, cliffs, and small caves to a restored fire tower.
Andes Rail Trail (Andes)
Flat, easy 2-mile walk from the old depot. Pair it with lunch in town.
Pratt Rock Trail (Prattsville)
https://www.greatnortherncatskills.com/explore/pratt-rock-new-yorks-mount-rushmore
Features great views, interesting history, and fun sculpture.
Diamond Notch Falls (West Kill)
An easy 1.4-mile round trip to a waterfall below a wooden bridge. Great for small kids. Pair it with West Kill Brewing.
Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower (Hardenburgh)
The classic Catskills fire tower hike. Steep at the end, but worth it.
Kaaterskill Falls (Hunter)
https://www.greatnortherncatskills.com/explore/kaaterskill-falls
It’s busy and popular for a reason. Really stunning. The parking lot on Route 23A is closed, so park at Laurel House Road and arrive before 10am on weekends. There may also be a chance to swim.
Mine Kill Falls (Gilboa)
https://uncoveringnewyork.com/mine-kill-falls/
Relatively easy to walk and explore, though there are a number of stairs.
All Trails
The Catskills offers countless options for serious hikers. Browse, choose, and enjoy!
DAY TRIPS & ATTRACTIONS
Delaware & Ulster Railroad (Arkville)
A 45-minute train ride along the East Branch. Back in 2026 for the first time since 2019, with Saturday rides through the end of October.
Hanford Mills Museum (East Meredith)
A working water-powered sawmill and gristmill. Great with kids. Wednesday–Sunday, mid-May to mid-October.
Gilboa Museum (Gilboa)
Home to some of the world’s oldest tree fossils. Summer weekends.
Belleayre Summer (Highmount)
Scenic gondola rides late June to mid-October, plus free Friday-night concerts in July and August.
Skyhold Ranch (Delhi)
Trail rides and campfire rides. Call to book: (607) 746-8078.
New York Zipline Adventures (Hunter)
One of the longest, highest zipline tours in North America, plus a family canopy tour.
ANNUAL EVENTS
Hobart Festival of Women Writers (June)
Readings and workshops in the book village.
Oh-Boy! Market (July 4th weekend)
A big regional food, drink, and design market in the fields at Wayside Cider.
Delaware County Fair (August)
The classic county fair, in Walton.
Cauliflower Festival (late September)
Margaretville celebrates its farming history. Fun and a little silly.
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